Chanderpaul puts West Indians in charge
An unbeaten 111 from Shivnarine Chanderpaul, supported by half-centuries from Brian Lara, Ramnaresh Sarwan and Ridley Jacobs, put the West Indians in a commanding position at the close of the first day of their tour match
Wisden Cricinfo staff
05-Dec-2003
Close West Indians 342 for 4 (Chanderpaul 111*, Lara 72, Jacobs 66*, Sarwan 51) v Free State
Scorecard
Scorecard
An unbeaten 111 from Shivnarine Chanderpaul, supported by half-centuries from Brian Lara, Ramnaresh Sarwan and Ridley Jacobs, put the West Indians in a commanding position at the close of the first day of their tour match against Free State at Bloemfontein. They finished on 342 for 4.
Until tea, a weakened Free State were holding their own against a powerful batting line-up, but in the last session Chanderpaul and Jacobs, who finished on 66 not out, added an unbeaten 145 for the fifth wicket as the bowlers wilted. It was a welcome boost for Chanderpaul who endured a wretched tour of Zimbabwe.
Free State started confidently, Chris Gayle perishing in the third over when he was trapped lbw by Cliff Deacon for 9 (10 for 1) and then Daren Ganga followed soon after, edging Ryan McLaren to James Schorn, the wicketkeeper, for 19 (54 for 2).
But Lara and Sarwan put the West Indians back on track with a stand of 76 in at almost a run a minute. Sarwan hit eight fours before nicking McLaren to Schorn for 51 (130 for 3). Lara looked increasingly at ease, smashing 10 fours and one six until, when on 72, he slashed McLaren to backward point where Rayno Ardense held a good catch (197 for 4).
The relaxed nature of the match was underlined by Free State's decision to allow Wavell Hinds to replace Omari Banks in the West Indians' side after tea. Hinds had originally been left out of the starting XI after suffering an upset stomach overnight.